Ozone hole shrinks to near-record low thanks to Global Action
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
In 2025, scientists observed one of the smallest Antarctic ozone holes in decades, demonstrating the positive effects of international environmental cooperation.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that last year’s ozone hole was the fourth or fifth smallest since 1992, and that the depth and extent of the hole remained below average for the years 1990 to 2010 for the second year in a row.
These improvements stem from the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement that successfully reduced the use of chemicals damaging to the ozone layer, like those once found in refrigeration and firefighting foams. While the ozone layer is recovering overall, variations occur due to weather patterns. The WMO noted below-average total column ozone over a large area of the Northern Hemisphere, including parts of Greenland, Europe, and Russia.
Despite this, the WMO anticipates full recovery of the ozone layer in the coming decades. Measurements also show an increase in UV radiation, up to 20% in some parts of Europe since the mid-1990s, driven by reduced cloud cover and increased sunshine. Because of this rise, the WMO emphasizes the importance of UV protection measures to reduce the risk of skin cancer and other related diseases.
The WMO continues to monitor the atmosphere, noting some unexpected emissions of certain chemicals and a slight decrease in the number of ground-based observation stations.
